Light-Matter Surface Interactions on the Nanoscale
Near field microscopy enables the observation of optical properties on length scales much smaller than the optical wavelength. In particular, in an apertureless configuration, a sharp tip is brought to close proximity with a surface, and illuminated by a laser. The local electromagnetic fields under the tip provide a means of probing local properties, thus providing enhanced spatial resolution with spectroscopic capabilities. I will review the operation of apertureless optical microscopy, introduce our Floating Tip Nanolithography approach, and will discuss surface modification on the nanoscale – present status and future prospects.
In the second half of the talk I will discuss the nonlinear optical response and plasmonic character of metallic nano structures. We study the emission from individual and from coupled nano holes in thin silver films. Size and shape resonances are observed for individual holes and when the spacing between holes is smaller than the plasmonic propagation distance strong coupling is observed, giving rise to modified response and overall polarization changes.
Future potential applications of the strong nonlinear optical enhancement will be discussed.
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